
about the unbelieving Jews. John 12:40.
Many years later, John wrote: "And I saw
another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach
unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people." Rev. 14:6.
11.
How long did Paul spend in
Rome at this time, and how was his
time occupied? Acts 28:30.
NoTE.—"In the providence of God, this
delay resulted in the furtherance of the
gospel. Through the favor of those who
had Paul in charge, he was permitted to
dwell in a commodious house, where he
could meet freely with his friends, and also
present the truth daily to those who came
to hear. . . .
"During this time, the churches that he
had established in many lands were not for-
gotten. Realizing the dangers that threat-
ened the converts to the new faith, the
apostle sought so far as possible to meet
their needs by letters of warning and prac-
tical instruction. And from Rome he sent
out consecrated workers to labor not only
for these churches, but in fields that he him-
self had not visited. These workers, as wise
shepherds strengthened the work so well
begun by Paul; and the apostle, kept in-
formed of the condition and dangers of the
churches by constant communication with
them, was enabled to exercise a wise super-
vision over all."—E. G. White,
The Acts of
the Apostles,
pages 453, 454.
The letters Paul wrote from Rome are
known as the "Prison Epistles," and their
identity is suggested in Philippians 1:13;
Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 3:13; and Phi-
lemon 1.
12.
How do the closing words of
the book of Acts show the courageous
spirt of Paul? Acts 28:31.
NoTE.—"Preaching the kingdom of God
. . . with all confidence." That is a grand
conclusion to events which began in Jeru-
salem and had now spread abroad to Rome,
the center of the world.
13.
What touching story of con-
version at this time did Paul record?
Philemon 1, 10.
NOTE.—"Among those who gave their
hearts to God through the labors of Paul
in Rome, was Onesimus, a pagan slave who
had wronged his master, Philemon, a Chris-
tian believer in Colosse, and had escaped to
Rome. In the kindness of his heart, Paul
sought to relieve the poverty and distress of
the wretched fugitive, and then endeavored
to shed the light of truth into his darkened
mind. . . .
"Onesimus endeared himself to Paul by
his piety and sincerity, no less than by his
tender care for the apostle's comfort, and
his zeal in promoting the work of the gos-
pel. Paul saw in him traits of character
that would render him a useful helper
,
in
missionary labor, and he counseled him to
return without delay to Philemon, beg- his
forgiveness, and plan for the future. . . .
"Paul volunt
arily proposed to assume the
debt of Onesimus in order that the guilty
one might be spared the disgrace of punish-
ment, and might again enjoy the privileges
he had forfeited. 'If thou count me there-
fore a partner,' he wrote to Philemon, 're-
ceive him as myself. If he hath wronged
thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine
account; I Paul have written it with mine
own hand, I will repay it.'
•
"How fitting an illustration of the
-
love
of Christ for the repentant sinner 1"—E. G.
White,
The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 456-
458.
14.
What do we know about Paul's
courage as the end of his life ap-
proached? 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:6-8.
NoTE.—After two years' imprisonment
Paul was tried and declared guiltless by
Nero, and he was again
,
free to visit the
churches. But after a.' time he was im-
prisoned again, and in his second trial be-
fore Nero he was sentenced to be beheaded.
"The aPostle was looking into the great
beyond, not with uncertainty or dread, but
with joyous hope 'and longing expeCtation.
As he stands at the place of mailyidOm;le
[ 46.1